A FATHER and son who lost their closest loved one to debilitating disease are saddling up for a 700-mile bike ride to fight the condition.

Rob and Will Sanderson are trekking across France over 10 days next month in memory of their wife and mother, Kate, who lost her battle with Motor Neurone Disease a fortnight before Christmas.

The pair, of Cloverbank, Kings Worthy, are looking to raise £100,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and have already collected more than £15,000.

Mr Sanderson, 58, has been training for 10 weeks and is now riding 60 miles a day ahead of the ride from Calais to Perpignan.

“As someone who hasn’t ridden a bike in more 25 years it’s been a daunting task, but I haven’t wanted for motivation. I know it’ll be tough-going, but we will have friends to support us along the way,” he said.

Rob and Will, a Newcastle University student, will be joined along the way by more than a dozen friends, family and work colleagues under the Cycle Kate banner.

The riders include Kate's god daughter, Emily Barrow, five of Will's school friends, two doctors and a physiotherapist.

“As one of two more senior members of the team, I am quietly relieved at the thought of two doctors and a physio coming along to soothe my soreness and keep me going for an average of 80 miles a day,” Mr Sanderson added.

“We are determined to reach our target, even if it takes a couple of years. It’s a worthwhile cause that needs far more support than it receives."

Motor Neurone Disease, a nervous system condition which weakens muscles and damages physical function, has no prevention or cure and affects around 5,000 people in Britain.

To donate and for more information about Cycle Kate, visit the fundraising page at http://tinyurl.com/oqn4n9h.